In its Atlanta debut, “Dot” takes a light-hearted look at an illness facing all communities. In the Shealy house, Christmas means time for family gatherings. Through the interactions of widowed matriarch Dotty and her family, mental health in the Black community is explored. As Dotty struggles to hold onto her memory-a result of her Alzheimer’s diagnosis-her children must fight to balance care for their mother and care for themselves. Crackling with humor, this dramedy grapples with aging parents, midlife crises, and the strength of family.

Bendetto Robinson and Denise Burse. Brenda Nicole Photography

Burse’s late stepfather lived with Alzheimer’s, an experience the actress plans to bring to her performance, remarking “I wanted to make those observations and experiences I had come to life on stage. I always look forward to those kinds of challenges in roles I’m going to take on.” Burse starred in True Colors Theatre’s inaugural production of Fences in 2003 and in True Colors’ 2008 production of Amen Corner.

Dot began preview performances on July 17 and opened on July 20, 2018. The show will run through August 12, 2018. Performances during the run are Wednesdays – Saturdays at 7:30 PM and Saturday – Sunday at 2:30 PM.

True Colors Theatre Company is based in Atlanta, GA and lead by Artistic Director Kenny Leon, and Managing Director Chandra Stephens-Albright. True Colors’ mission is grounded and centered in the rich canon of African American classics with a strong commitment to diverse new voices. True Colors strives to be an important voice in the American discussion of diversity including plays and playwrights from various times, cultures and perspectives.

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Lia Chang, Photo by Garth Kravits

Lia Chang is an actor, a multi-media content producer and co-founder of Bev’s Girl Films, making films that foster inclusion and diversity on both sides of the camera. Bev’s Girl Films’ debut short film, Hide and Seek was a top ten film in the Asian American Film Lab’s 2015 72 Hour Shootout Filmmaking Competition, and she received a Best Actress nomination. BGF collaborates with and produces multi-media content for artists, actors, designers, theatrical productions, composers, musicians and corporations. Lia is also an internationally published and exhibited photographer, a multi-platform journalist, and a publicist. Lia has appeared in the filmsWolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon, Taxman and Hide and Seek. She is profiled in Jade Magazine and Playbill.com.